Come over.
Em
Chapter five
Bash
6:08 AM.
The numbers glow red in the dimly lit room. I blink away sleep, momentarily disoriented before everything rushes back. Charlie's apartment. Charlie's bed. Charlie.
She's curled on her side, back to me, one bare shoulder peeking above the sheets. Auburn waves cascade across the pillow, messy and perfect. My fingers itch to trace the slope of her spine, to wake her with slow kisses along the nape of her neck.
I shouldn't be thinking like this.
So why am I lying here, watching her sleep?
Something twists in my chest, unfamiliar and uncomfortable. I ease out of bed, careful not to disturb her. The floorboards creak slightly as I gather my scattered clothes, pulling them on piece by piece.
My wallet sits on the dresser, next to a small ceramic dish filled with earrings and hairpins. I grab it, then pause as something soft catches my eye. A worn grey sweatshirt haphazardly placed on the edge.
I pick it up, rubbing the fabric between my fingers. It's well-loved, with frayed cuffs and a faded logo.
I glance back at Charlie. She's shifted slightly, her face now partially visible. There's a vulnerability to her in sleep that wasn't there last night, no quick comebacks or guarded expressions. Just the gentle rise and fall of her chest, her lips slightly parted, hair tumbling across her cheek.
I should leave. That's the script, isn't it? Good time, no strings, clean exit.
Then why am I standing here, holding her sweatshirt, watching her sleep like I'm memorizing the moment?
My phone vibrates in my back pocket pulling me back to the present and the screen shows three missed texts from Ty. The newest one asking where the hell I disappeared to. I take one last look at her, place the sweatshirt back on the dresser and I slip out, easing the door closed behind me.
Outside her building, the morning air hits cold against my face. I dial Ty as I walk toward the main street.
"Well, well, well." His voice is irritatingly chipper. "My best friend lives."
"You're up early for someone who was having bottle service delivered to the table at 1 AM."
"Says the guy who disappeared with a woman he met last night. Where are you, anyway?"
I scan the street for landmarks. "Somewhere in Nob Hill, I think."
"Dude." A pause. "You spent the night? That's not exactly your M.O."
"Yeah I know. You eaten yet?"
"Just made eggs. I can throw in more if you want to swing by." There's a smirk in his voice. "Figured you might need sustenance after your...activities."
"Okay, I'm ordering an Uber."
"Sweet. Breakfast will be ready by the time you get here Casanova. And I want details."
I hang up on him, and order an Uber. Twenty minutes later, I'm climbing the stairs to Ty's second-floor walkup. The door swings open before I knock.
"You look like shit," he announces, coffee mug in hand, looking unfairly well-rested.
"Good morning to you too."
His apartment smells like coffee and hot sauce. I follow him to the kitchen, where he's got a skillet of scrambled eggs going, bacon crisping in another pan.
